Open Innovation Challenge by Group Production
The automotive industry has identified 3D Printing as the future of product and process design. 3D printing provides several advantages for car manufacturers. First and foremost, 3D printing has opened a range of new possibilities in terms of product innovation. It allows for the realisation of new designs, based on biomimicry/bionic geometries, making structures lighter in weight and improving functional integration, meaning the implementation of a high number of functions into as few parts as possible.
The VW Group launched an Open Innovation challenge around the topic of 3D printing to find creative 3D printable ideas for products that fit the Volkswagen I.D. Buzz. The Volkswagen I.D. Buzz is an electric minivan, that was first shown as a prototype at the 2017 North American International Auto Show. A production vehicle based on this prototype is planned to be launched in 2022.
The goal of the project was to generate 3D printable ideas taking on a customer-centric perspective that created added value through function, aesthetics, comfort and customizability. The most important evaluation criteria were: customer benefit, economy, scalability and innovative strength.
124 creative minds from 40 countries participated and submitted their 236 ideas. After an internal evaluation five winning ideas were selected.